Saturday, July 2, 2011

SADHANAS from KENOPANISHAD by Swami Shantananda Puri

The Kenopanishad forms part of the Talvakara ascension (ninth chapter) of the Sama Veda. The Upanishad starts with the word ‘Kena’ ( i.e. ‘by whom’ and hence its name has been kept as Kenopanishad. The earlier chapters deal with various karmas (ritualistic) and upasanas (worship) of Prana (vital energy) ; the conditioned Brahman is also called as Prana. This Upanishad deals with the knowledge of the Pure and unconditioned Brahman (Suddha Brahman). In interpreting it, the author has closely followed the commentary by Adi Sankara.